<![CDATA[Highland agricultural landscapes are sensitive to environmental variation, particularly in regions like the Gayo Highlands of Aceh, Indonesia, where Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is a major crop. While parasitic nematodes are known to affect crop health and soil ecosystems, little is known about how their abundance and distribution vary with elevation in tropical coffee systems. The Gayo Highlands, despite their significant contribution to national coffee production, have been understudied in terms of soil biodiversity and nematode-related threats. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the composition and abundance of parasitic nematodes in coffee plantations across three elevation zones: 800–1000 m, 1001–1200 m, and 1201–1400 m above sea level. We collected soil and root samples from symptomatic coffee plants, extracted nematodes using the Baermann funnel method, and identified them to the genus level. The study found three genera: Pratylenchus, Meloidogyne, and Rotylenchus. Pratylenchus was the most abundant, particularly at 800–1,000 m (34 individuals/10 ml), while the highest total nematode abundance occurred at 1,001–1,200 m (7.2 ± 1.44 individuals/10 ml). Statistical analysis showed significant differences in nematode abundance between elevation zones. These results indicate that elevation influences nematode populations, likely through environmental factors such as temperature, soil moisture, and pH. Understanding these patterns is important for developing site-specific strategies for pest management and maintaining soil health in highland coffee systems.]]>
